Impressions of an American student in Australia
When Bliss Zechman left her small hometown outside Nashville to travel and study in Australia, she expected to learn a great deal. Here she tells us how she came to discover new things, not only about a different culture and way of living but also herself.
My story is one that has been told many times over; the cliché tale of a girl from small-town USA who moves to “The Big City” to follow her dreams. Nonetheless, people must enjoy these types of stories because they are still being told. So, here is mine.
I am a 21-year-old student studying journalism and electronic media at my state’s flagship university in Tennessee. I grew up in a rural town located an hour outside of Nashville.
With a penchant for wanderlust I have always dreamed of living in a foreign land. So, when the opportunity came for me to study in ’Straya, I jumped at it.
Also similar to those often told stories, my journey Down Unda’ has been filled with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I’ve experienced the full range of the emotional spectrum, including elation, disappointment, homesickness, accomplishment, cantankerousness, and indifference.
But when I leave Australia I won’t remember the emotional rollercoaster ride. I will instead recall what I have learned. And I have learned so much.
I have not learned in the traditional sense one usually associates with university edification. I haven’t used the quadratic formula to calculate life’s quandaries or applied the hegemonic theory of gender to discern my daily interactions. Instead, I have learned an immeasurable sum about Australia’s people and its culture. More than that, I have learned a great deal about myself.
I am technically registered for 12 hours of academic credit (the minimum number of hours to be considered a full time student). However, this semester has not focused on academia.
Instead, it has almost purely been a learning experience.
One of the first things I learned is the importance of casual conversation. I was raised to follow every sentence spoken to an adult with “yes ma’am, no ma’am, yes sir or no sir.” Apparently addressing someone in Australia as such is frowned upon.
The first time I called my professor “sir” in class, he quickly shot back at me with, “Please don’t call me sir! Do I look that old?” He went on to surprise the rest of the classroom (filled entirely with American students) when he told us to address him as Richard (his first name) and not by Mr. Allen.
This astounded me! There’s likely a reprimand coming if you address a professor or any authority figure with whom you aren’t on a friendly basis by anything less than their professional title (such as Mr. Wilson, Dr. Smith, or Mrs. Jones).
These strict standards probably stem from the US being a chiefly hierarchical society. Some people in the states are regarded as “better” than others. This is something we don’t like to admit, but it is apparent. Marx and Weber were onto something with their respective social stratification theories. People are constantly being categorized and ranked by measures such as wealth, level of education, social skills, material beauty, and etcetera.
It is a skewed system. Not to say Australia is perfect, but I really like the sense of levelness and equality that seems to radiate throughout Australian society. I like that it is acceptable to call my teacher Richard or my boss Catherine.
Another thing I quickly learned is that Australians speak with a lower tone of voice. In America, people think if you speak louder, others are more likely to hear and/or agree with your opinions.
One of my dearest yet loudest friends on this trip talks so loudly it sounds as though he has a microphone handy at all times. He doesn’t talk this way to annoy people; it’s simply how he was raised to speak.
One afternoon, we were eating lunch on a park bench in North Sydney. My boisterous friend was there, eating his pizza and telling us a hilarious story. Suddenly a guy came up to us and started cursing my friend about his loudness. He ranted about his hatred for Americans because of their loudness; punctuating his tirade by saying he wanted to push my friend in front of a bus.
It was bizarre. Even though the man shouldn’t have reacted so harshly, I learned two very important things that day.
- I never want to get yelled at by an Australian (or any stranger for that matter).
- If you want to peacefully and successfully live in a foreign country, you must follow that society’s social norms.
Some countries have more severe policies to abide by. For example, if I were to visit an Islamic state, I would be expected to wear a hijab. If I travelled to Japan, I would be expected to take off my shoes before entering someone’s house.
Australia has less stern social expectations or adaptations. However, this did mean I needed to adhere to the ‘quiet carriage’ rule when journeying via train. I should speak in quiet tones to converse with my friends while out to dinner and there was no need to introduce myself in a booming voice.
Learning the culture also meant I had to walk on the left side of the street (which was arguably the most difficult transition); I should greet people with “How are you going?” instead of “How are you doing?” and end emails with “cheers” rather than “best.”
In accommodating the way of life, I had to step outside of my comfort zone to avoid offending any natives. This is not too much for a civilization or nation to ask.
I am now a firm believer when you travel abroad, you should respect the place you are visiting.
The most unconventional yet rewarding part of being in Australia was experiencing what it was like to be a minority of sorts. As a white, middle-class, protestant in the states, I have never even come close to feeling like an outlier.
Sure, I feel like a minority in that I am a woman or I am a liberal based in a predominantly conservative community. But I’ve never been in a place for an extended period of time where there were more people from one nation than from my own.
The obvious fact that I would be an American in a sea of Australians never quite occurred to me until I arrived.
I didn’t expect “Advance Australia Fair” to play before sporting events rather than “The Star Spangled Banner.” I didn’t expect hot-cross buns to be an Easter staple. I didn’t expect for anyone in Australia to resent America.
(I did expect kangaroos to casually hop alongside pedestrians in the streets and for koalas to fall out of the trees causing car wrecks.)
Americanization blinded me. I was so accustomed to my ‘good ole US of A’ ways I selfishly thought Sydney would be just like any other metropolitan city I’ve visited such as New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, etcetera. I honestly thought the only difference being the distinct Australian accent.
So, yes, I am the stereotypical girl who, at the end of the story, transformed into an enlightened woman.
I understand why my friend was yelled at, I understand the importance of walking on the left side of the road and I understand the importance of having biscuits with your tea.
Thank you Australia for teaching me so much. You have made me the (still cliché) girl I am today. I hope we meet again someday soon.
Bliss Zechman is studying journalism and electronic media at the University of Tennessee. She is currently studying abroad in Sydney, Australia where she is taking courses in journalism and film. She is also completing an internship at Global Access Partners.
indeara21
April 12, 2016 at 6:04 am
Looking for support !
I need help to apply for a Student Visa for Australia. Actually, i am doing graduation in some reputed University in India & want to go Australia to complete my research on my topic but am not sure about the place to visit & reside as few parts are very expensive & out of my reach. Best preferable chances to apply for the same would be around May-June…. Hoping positive guidance on my issue…. Regards !